Chapter Ten
When the crowd started to arrive, Shiloh disappeared into the house. The Cartwrights were all outside greeting their guests who were all wondering where Shiloh was.
"Shiloh?" yelled Adam, rushing through the front door. He walked to the stairs and shouted up, "Shiloh!"
"I'm over here," she answered quietly from behind Ben's desk. She had changed into a lovely, frilly lavender dress and had tied her hair into a pony tail with a matching lavender ribbon, allowing her curls to cascade down her back.
Adam turned and smiled. "You look very pretty. Your guests are asking for you."
She snorted. "My guests? I really wish we had postponed this. I'm not in a party mood."
Adam walked to her and draped her hand over his arm, heading for the front door. "And what would you have done with all that beef?"
"Given it away."
He stopped and faced her. "Spit it out."
"I don't want to talk about Sam, I don't want to talk about Max or the barn, I don't want to talk about singing, and I don't want to face all those people who pulled their children away from me when I walked down the boardwalk after I left school because they thought I was a troublemaker; the same people who came today just because of Isabella. I just…want to be left alone."
"Then maybe a party is just what you need to bring your head back above water," said Adam as he redraped her hand over his arm and led her to the door. "Chin up," he ordered, but she continued to look forlorn. He took a deep breath. "Just think of it as a performance then."
"I'm not an actress."
"Not true. I've seen you act. Now, let's go." He opened the door and grinned at the smile that suddenly appeared on her face. By the time he had walked her to the edge of the porch, a crowd of people approached her, taking her hand, thanking her for the picnic, and offering concern and support at the burning of her barn. Adam stayed within earshot as she mingled, listening to the questions, not only about the fire and the cattle, but also about singing at Maguire's. He watched her glide across the yard, smile graciously, laugh delicately and talk with just the right amount of sadness or just the right amount of excitement depending on what she was being asked. In essence, she was performing.
By the end of the day, seven of the ten steers had either been eaten or packaged up and sent with the families from the church. Tom Maguire was one of the last to leave after having a lengthy and seemingly private conversation with Shiloh across the yard. When Adam joined them, Tom was just saying his goodbyes. "Adam, as usual, the hospitality of the Ponderosa has been outstanding," he said, shaking Adam's hand.
"We're glad you enjoyed it."
"I suppose I'll be seeing you in town for the next few weeks," said Tom, winking at Shiloh and turning toward his horse. She smiled and nodded.
Adam turned to her. "What did he mean by that?"
Still smiling, she said, "I should help Hop Sing get this cleaned up," then patted his hand and walked away, leaving him looking puzzled as he watched her go.